Chapter 818 A Dire Situation

After the morning court, the emperor retreated, and the ministers dispersed. Shangguan Lin’s expression was icy, his demeanor one of solitary coldness, making the very air around him feel unusually frigid.

Despite the fear of many ministers, a couple of those unafraid of death still approached to greet him.

Lan Qinglun, with a refined smile, raised an eyebrow and clasped his hands: “Your Highness is truly a prince who loves his people as his own children.”

“You flatter me,” Shangguan Lin harbored no good feelings for Lan Qinglun, finding him to be a sycophant who pleased the emperor, even gaining control of the Ministry of War.

He suspected that the Ye family’s power would soon fall into this man’s hands. The more Shangguan Lin thought about it, the more amusing it became. Let the emperor and the Ye family fight; the Empress Dowager would not stand idly by, and it would surely be entertaining then.

Shangguan Lin sneered as he and Lan Qinglun exited the Golden Palace, one after the other, and then added a reminder as if recalling something.

“Lord Lan, make sure to select some capable soldiers. If anything happens to this prince, or if the thirty thousand taels of disaster relief silver is compromised, this prince will not let you off.”

Lan Qinglun immediately offered a smile. He seemed to possess an inexhaustible temper, his refined demeanor making him difficult to dislike, yet Shangguan Lin found him utterly objectionable and had never given him a pleasant look. xxs1

“Your Highness, please rest assured.”

The two parted ways outside the palace gates and walked towards the palace exit amidst the flow of people.

Upon returning to his manor, Shangguan Lin immediately summoned the steward and ordered all the servants in the manor to be sent away.

The steward, unaware of what had happened, was terrified. Shangguan Lin was too lazy to explain. He had, in fact, already figured it out: the emperor’s questioning was nothing but a trap to harm him.

Lingnan was not impossibly far from Yanjing, yet it was still a thousand li away. What unpredictable events might occur along the way? If the disaster relief silver met with trouble, he would be unable to escape.

Conversely, if something happened to him, it would be attributed to natural disasters or man-made calamities. At most, there would be a period of mourning, and the emperor would have eliminated a rival.

Just as Shangguan Lin predicted, along the journey, they encountered no less than ten groups of bandits attempting to rob the silver.

Unfortunately, the silver had been replaced with bricks and stones. The actual thirty thousand taels of treasury silver had been secretly transported out via waterways by his trusted confidantes and deposited in banks that could exchange currency nationwide. They could retrieve the disaster relief silver simply by arriving in a neighboring county to Lingnan.

There was no need to escort it all the way. The most crucial point was that the Emperor had ordered the Ministry of Revenue to prepare actual silver, so why forbid the use of silver notes for thirty thousand taels? That would have been foolproof.

However, he heard from his trusted subordinates that the thirty thousand taels of official silver traveling by waterway had also been targeted by robbers. If it weren’t for someone secretly assisting, that thirty thousand taels of disaster relief silver would likely have been stolen.

Shangguan Lin broke out in a cold sweat, not out of fear of death, but because this was life-saving money for Lingnan and two counties. Now that the prefectures and counties were flooded, and the disaster victims faced problems with food and clothing, how many people would die if the silver was lost?

Fortunately, heaven had been merciful, and no major issues had arisen.

A convoy, grandly escorting dozens of chests filled with bricks, made its way towards Lingnan. Along the way, they repelled dozens of attacks from bandits. Most importantly, someone had assisted them throughout the journey.

Shangguan Yao was utterly perplexed. Who exactly was secretly helping him?

He had no particularly close friends; apart from a few trusted confidantes, he had no others.

Although he considered Leng Yue a friend, they were separated by a thousand li, and it was impossible for Leng Yue to have traveled there to help him. So, who else could be assisting him?

After more than ten days of relentless travel, nearing Lingnan, Shangguan Yao ordered Mu Li and Qiao Chu to immediately go to a nearby bank to withdraw a portion of the actual silver and escort it towards Lingnan.

Lingnan Prefecture was slightly larger than a typical county town. At a glance, it was impossible to distinguish between farmland and low-lying areas. From outside the city to within, everything was submerged in water.

A light rain permeated the sky, a curtain of rain, and mist rose from the water’s surface.

Seeing people across the water, their forms indistinct, Shangguan Lin could not get a clear picture of the city’s current situation. From near and far, he saw rotten vegetable leaves, rotten tree leaves, clothes, socks, and even wooden tables and chairs floating on the river. Cries of grief echoed around him.

Shangguan Yao’s heart tightened with an inexplicable ache. Faced with the scene before him, his mind was blank; the only priority now was to save these disaster victims.

“Mu Li, immediately dispatch men to investigate the whereabouts of the Prefect, the Commandant, and other officials.”

“Yes, your subordinate will attend to it at once.”

Mu Li waved his hand, leading a few men, and entered the city to inquire and scout. Shangguan Lin continued to issue instructions to Qiao Chu, who was by his side: “You and I will take men to rescue people. Find a high vantage point and gather people together.”

“Your Highness, please be careful.”

Qiao Chu urged repeatedly, but the prince had already led the men behind him forward and was walking into the city. Along the way, he saw adults holding children, and strong young men supporting the elderly.

Even so, the water had reached their bellies, and people could not stay submerged in water indefinitely, lest they catch a chill and fall ill.

Many of them had sallow complexions, and having not eaten, they were even more exhausted. If further delays occurred, the death toll was likely to increase.

Shangguan Lin had already gained some understanding of Lingnan Prefecture along the way and knew there was a mountain not far from the city. He shouted as he walked: “Everyone, immediately transfer to the mountain! Everyone, quickly move to the mountain! Begin disaster relief and distribute grain. Everyone, move to the mountain!”

Upon hearing of food, the disaster victims immediately perked up. They looked at Shangguan Lin with a mixture of doubt and anticipation. Seeing the official attire they wore, they no longer doubted. Those who could move and walk all proceeded out of the city and towards the mountain.

The situation within the city was no better than outside. The water was deeper, obscuring the path and the people.

Many clung to rooftops, large trees, or window frames, holding their young or supporting the old. The previously edible food had been looted and consumed, and now there was nothing.

The pair of yellowed faces, bloodshot eyes, and pale complexions indicated that these people were at their limit. If not treated soon, many would likely perish.

Not long after Shangguan Lin entered the city, Mu Li arrived with a group of Lingnan Prefecture officials. All of them were soaked, and everyone felt awkward. They could neither bow properly nor receive him formally, resorting only to clasping their hands in greeting.

“This subordinate, along with the officials of this prefecture, pays respects to Prince Shangguan.”

Leading them was the Prefect of Lingnan Prefecture, his face equally grim. This Prefect was an upright and honest man; he had not abandoned the city due to the flood. Instead, he stood united with the populace.

When food ran out, everyone endured hunger together, earning him great affection from the local people.

Shangguan Lin waved his hand. What was the need for such formalities at this moment? he asked calmly.

“Mobilize everyone in the prefectural office and the elite soldiers I have brought. Simultaneously, notify everyone in the prefecture to relocate to the mountain. Also, send word to neighboring counties. If people continue to be submerged in water like this, there will soon be corpses floating everywhere. If bodies are submerged in water, plagues are likely to break out.”

Shangguan Lin recalled the incident at Fengya Pass. Although the poisoning was man-made, he was deeply fearful of plagues and therefore did not wish for such an event to recur.

“Yes, this subordinate will immediately order men to carry this out.”

The Prefect turned and commanded his subordinate, the Commandant: “Did you hear the Prince’s words? Immediately dispatch men to notify everyone: all must transfer to the mountain. Furthermore, children and the elderly must be ensured safe passage to a secure area. Additionally, send men to the two neighboring counties and instruct them to relocate to higher ground.”